Seth Meyers hosts the "66th Primetime Emmy Awards"

It's that time of year again! TV's brightest stars are flocking to Los Angeles as one of the biggest television awards shows gets set to honor the best of the best of U.S. prime-time programming.

The "66th Primetime Emmy Awards" is sure to be an exciting event as new shows, new platforms and old favorites are looking to cash in on hard work, dedication and some extremely good television. Don't miss who's taking home the hardware when the "66th Primetime Emmy Awards" airs Monday, Aug. 25, on NBC.

First awarded by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1949, the Primetime Emmy Awards (originally referred to simply as Emmy Awards until the Daytime awards show rolled around) are to television what the Academy Awards are to movies. It's an award that reflects excellence in all aspects of TV -- from your most intense dramas to your most hysterical comedies; your best actors to your best hosts; and your best directors to your best writers.

This year, as with every year that NBC hosts the awards, TV's best will be descending on the Nokia Theatre in L.A. a few weeks earlier than the usual mid-September date to avoid scheduling conflicts with NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcast. The awards will be handed out to the best programs in U.S. prime time that aired from June 1, 2013, until May 31, 2014.

Of course, no show would be complete without a stellar host to lead the way, and NBC has tapped one seriously funny guy to take the reins as emcee for the night.

"Late Night's" Seth Meyers is no stranger to a large, live audience, and he has the pedigree to ensure that a fun night is had by all. After joining "Saturday Night Live" in 2001, he forged his way through the writing ranks before being named the head writer and co-anchor of the Weekend Update segment in 2006. In 2011, he won his own Primetime Emmy for writing on "SNL," and this past February, Meyers took over as host of NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers" after Jimmy Fallon ("Fever Pitch," 2005) left the show to replace Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show."

"Seth's expertise and ease in front of a live audience during his time at 'SNL,' as well as his comedic brilliance both as a writer and in front of the camera, makes him the perfect choice to host the Emmys," president of late night and alternative programming Paul Telegdy said when it was first announced Meyers would be hosting.

Chairman and CEO of the Television Academy Bruce Rosenblum also was singing Seth's praises. "Seth is such a talented performer and writer," he said back in April, "and we know he will bring something unique to hosting the Primetime Emmy Awards."

On board to produce the three-hour awards show is a man not known to many by name, but definitely by his work. Don Mischer is back to executive produce the Emmys for the eighth time, and he's been behind some of the biggest entertainment events in the world, including Super Bowl half-time shows, Academy Award shows, Winter Olympics opening ceremonies and many, many more.

Seth Meyers serves as host of the “66th Primetime Emmy Awards”

"We are also excited to welcome Don back this year and very much look forward to [his and Meyer's] collaboration as we celebrate television's biggest night during one of the most transformative years in Television Academy history," Rosenblum said of the legendary producer.

As for who's up for what, it's a long list -- especially since the Television Academy split the "Outstanding Miniseries or Movie" category into separate entities and added two new categories ("Outstanding Structured Reality Program" and "Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program").

Leading the pack with 19 total nominations -- even if Jon Snow knows nothing -- is HBO's superpower TV show "Game of Thrones," including nods for "Outstanding Drama Series," "Outstanding Supporting Actor" for Peter Dinklage and "Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series" for Neil Marshall's work on the episode "The Watchers on the Wall."

Nipping at "Thrones'" heels is the new series "Fargo" on FX, notching 18 total nominations, including "Outstanding Miniseries" and "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie" for Colin Hanks' performance as Officer Gus Grimly.

"It’s an awesome feeling,” Hanks said in an interview with "Variety" after his nomination was announced. "This [show] is on par with so many of these shows that I admire -- that someone would think of 'Fargo' in the same breath is sort of surreal."

What's intriguing about this round of award nominations is the fact that a new television-viewing platform is pushing the envelope and scoring a ton of nods. On-demand Internet streaming service Netflix has produced a comedy that's getting some well-deserved recognition.

"Orange is the New Black" is a prison-based comedy that features a strong cast of female leads, and they took home a whopping 12 nominations -- the most for any comedy series. It's revolutionizing for television, especially since another Netflix original, "House of Cards," also notched multiple nominations.

All eyes will be on Los Angeles when TV's biggest stars touch down at the Nokia Theatre for the "66th Primetime Emmy Awards." Who will be the big winners of the night, and who will go home empty-handed? It's bound to be a night of excitement and laughs when the awards show airs Monday, Aug. 25, on NBC.